NRAR begins metering compliance checks in Central West
The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) officers will visit properties around Dubbo and Mudgee over the next four weeks to check compliance with the non-urban metering rules.
Water users with medium to large-sized pumps or bores around Dubbo and Mudgee were required to comply with the new metering rules by 1 December 2021, including installing accurate meters that have been independently validated by a certified meter installer or duly qualified person (DQP). Some pumps are also required to transmit data about water taken to a central database.
Ian Bernard, Director Regulatory Initiatives at NRAR, said he expects to find that water users have done the right thing when the regulator visits properties in the Dubbo and Mudgee region over the next four weeks.
“Water entitlements in NSW are worth almost $30 billion per year and meters are the best way to protect this asset on behalf of the people of NSW and the environment,” said Mr Bernard.
“The Northern Inland, including the Dubbo and Mudgee regions, have now had over a year since their compliance date passed to take action,” said Mr Bernard.
“We understand that some water users have faced barriers to compliance such as shipping delays and limited DQP availability however, we expect all water users to have made a reasonable effort to comply.”
“We are a firm but fair regulator and will consider each case on its merits.
“Water users who have, at a minimum, a formal agreement or contract with a certified meter installer will be safe from penalties. Those who can't provide this evidence may be subject to fines and legal directions to comply, or more serious enforcement action if warranted.
“Water users in the Northern Inland that needed to comply with the metering rules by 1 December 2021 should make sure that they have taken the steps needed to bring their equipment into compliance, and that they are meeting their recording and reporting requirements.
"We also recognise alternative pathways to compliance, for example, if you have an existing meter that is accurate, you can have it certified by a qualified professional,” said Mr Bernard.
NRAR has already begun taking enforcement action for breaches of the new metering rules, including issuing fines for breaching the 2021 compliance deadline and issuing two stop-work orders to a Walgett company for non-compliance with metering equipment requirements.
The 1 Dec 2021 deadline applied to all pumps 100mm and above and bores 200mm and above in the Northern Inland, which includes the Macquarie, Gwydir, Namoi, Border Rivers and Barwon-Darling regions. As well as some at-risk groundwater sources and smaller pumps with existing metering conditions.
Water users can use the Department of Planning and Environment’s online metering guidance tool to check how the rules apply to them. They can also get real-time answers to their metering questions by booking a phone appointment with WaterNSW.
